Ceiling panels

ABSTRACT

An improved ceiling panel assembly in which a large panel is made to appear as a large number of small panels, and which can easily installed by one man alone; the assembly additionally including track mouldings that support the edges of the panel, the moulding being secured to ceiling joists, and the center area of the panel being supported by washers positioned under the panel and which are secured by screws to the ceiling.

United States Patent [1 1 Fehr [ Apr. 9, 1974 CEILING PANELS [76] Inventor: Cornelius Fehr, Rt. No. 4, Box 209,

Millersburg, Ohio 44654 [22] Filed: Oct. 13, 1972 [21] Appl. No: 297,417

[52] US. Cl 52/314, 52/483, 52/495 [51] Int. Cl E04b 5/57 [58] Field of Search 52/495, 474, 487, 512, 52/511, 471, 314, 483

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,599,385 8/1971 LaRue 52/471 1,673,630 6/1928 Madge 52/512 718,593 1/1903 Anderson.. 52/512 978,655 12/1910 Sauerbeck 52/512 1,723,621 8/1929 Jewell 52/512 3,334,462 8/1967 Brooks 52/495 3,544,416 12/1970 Gebhard 3,545,154 12/1970 Bobzin 52/314 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Assistant Examiner-Henry E. Raduazo [5 7] ABSTRACT 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures CEILING PANELS This invention relates generally to ceiling constructions. 7

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a ceiling panel construction which can be readily installed by one workman working alone, thus eliminating large labor costs.

Another object is to provide a ceiling panel construction which allows a faster construction of a ceiling, as the panels are of large size, and each panel gives the appearance of comprising a series of numerous small panels.

Other objects are to provide ceiling panels which are simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use, and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the panel and associated parts.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a washer supporting the panel to a joist.

FlG. 3 is a bottom view of a washer.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through a track moulding supporting the edges of adjacent panels to a joist.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of the track moulding.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the track moulding.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10 represents a ceiling panel assembly according to the present invention which includes a large panel 11, track mouldings l2, and washers 13.

The panel 11 can be plywood or plastic material such as winter oak or urethane, as desired, and may be made in large size such as 48 by 48 inches. Shallow transverse grooves 12 across its underside surface give the illusion that the panel is formed by small panels of l6 by 16 inches size fitted together, as shown by the square areas 13. While the invention is not held to specific sizes, the panel could be 1/8 .inch thick.

The edges 14 of the panel are supported in an installation by being fitted in track mouldings 15 which are securable by stapels 16 through the track moulding flanges to joists 17. The moulding ends taper to points 18 so to interfit with other mouldings.

The center area of the panel is supported by washers 13 positioned underneath the panel at the junctions 19 where the grooves cross, and are secured through the panel to the joists by screws 20.

Thus there is provided a novel ceiling panel construction which is quicker and easier to instal by one man working alone.

' While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a ceiling panels construction, the combination of a relatively large rectangular panel, track mouldings for supporting the edges of said panel to the joists of a building structure, and a plurality of washers for supporting a center area of said panel to said joists, said panel having a plurality of transverse grooves on an underside thereof so to give the appearance that said panel is comprised of a series of small panels fitted to gether, each said track moulding comprising an elongated member with a slot along each side edge thereof for receiving an edge of said panel, each end of said track moulding being tapered to a 90 wide point so to interfit with other like mouldings at a junction thereof, each said washer comprising a member positioned below a junction of said panel grooves and secured therethrough to said joists by a screw. 

1. In a ceiling panels construction, the combination of a relatively large rectangular panel, track mouldings for supporting the edges of said panel to the joists of a building structure, and a plurality of washers for supporting a center area of said panel to said joists, said panel hAving a plurality of transverse grooves on an underside thereof so to give the appearance that said panel is comprised of a series of small panels fitted together, each said track moulding comprising an elongated member with a slot along each side edge thereof for receiving an edge of said panel, each end of said track moulding being tapered to a 90* wide point so to interfit with other like mouldings at a junction thereof, each said washer comprising a member positioned below a junction of said panel grooves and secured therethrough to said joists by a screw. 